A child advocacy group in Oklahoma is pushing for an investigation into Oklahoma Human Services. The petition, filed Monday in the State of Oklahoma, is a request for a grand jury investigation.

“There are terrible crimes being committed against children and everyone seems to be looking the other way,” said Mandy Reed, founder of Oklahomans for Children’s Rights.

The petition was submitted by Oklahomans for Children’s Rights. The letter states in part that they “request that this court empanel a grand jury to investigate crimes committed against children and their families.”

At a news conference at the state capitol Monday morning, Rep. Justin “JJ” Humphrey addressed the alleged problems at DHS. “It is time for us, the people of Oklahoma, to take back our government,” said Rep. Humphrey (R-Lane). “There is plenty of evidence but nothing is being done yet.”

Rep. Humphrey has been at the forefront of the demand that the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation launch an investigation into Oklahoma Human Services. However, it has not been approved yet.

“It’s important to move forward because there are hundreds of thousands of children who are affected by this,” Reed said.

Reed said he hopes the grand jury is approved so we can have additional ways to review individual case workers within DHS.

“We’re not being asked to come in and tell you a story, and believe us, we have evidence to prove everything that happened,” Reed said.

Reed started Oklahomans for Children’s Rights, which is the face behind the new petition. But he says he is not alone in this struggle. “There are a lot of parents that I talk to on a daily basis and we help each other make change, and the stories all sound the same,” Reed said.

The petition includes a list of ten allegations against DHS:

1. Oklahoma Human Services (Formerly OKDHS) administrative staff failed to report child abuse.
2. Oklahoma Department of Human Services employees falsified, altered, destroyed, and concealed documents that would show crimes against Oklahoma children.
3. Oklahoma Department of Human Services employees knowingly committed fraud and perjury at all levels of Oklahoma courts to cover up crimes against children.
4. The management of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth collected evidence of crimes against children and preserved this information to protect offenders in the OSH department.
5. The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth raised public funds to organize the multidisciplinary teams necessary to provide abused children with the professional care they need for protection and recovery. However, the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth does not provide the structure needed to provide abused children with the services they need in every county.
6. The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth raised public money to create Post-Adjudication Review Boards to oversee children separated from their families. However, the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth does not provide the services required by law.
7. Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation management violated the Oklahoma Constitution, conspired with publicly elected officials, and obstructed investigations properly requested by law enforcement and the legislature that would bring justice to abused children and vulnerable adults in Oklahoma.
8. Oklahoma Human Services administrative staff seized, garnished, and/or ordered child support or financial support without proper court documentation or authority.
9. Collins, Zorn and Wagner, PLLC conspired and colluded with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to commit fraud and perjury in numerous local and state courts. These acts of fraud and perjury were used to cover up crimes against children for personal gain.

“This isn’t just crimes against children; So these are crimes against the family, crimes against the state, these are terrible things that are happening in our state. This is a crime against humanity,” Reed said.

They are working to mobilize petitions in multiple counties. At least 500 signatures are required to convene a grand jury in any Oklahoma county.

Oklahoma Human Services responded with a statement: “Oklahoma Human Services advocates for transparency and will fully cooperate with any investigation into the agency.”